Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Lecithin, Arginine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Cellulose
AbsorbentFructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cellulose Gum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser 29 ingredients
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser 17 ingredients
Perfect cleanser for sensitive, acne prone skin.
I've been using this cleanser for months. I love it. I have very sensitive, acne prone skin. I always have trouble finding a cleanser that doesn't irritate my skin, damage my barrier or trigger my acne.
This cleanser doesn't make any of that, instead it leaves my skin hydrated and smooth . It also cleans very well.
I'm happy that I find this Show more
This is one of my all time favourite cleansers! It doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped, instead it provides me with some light hydration and does a great job of cleansing my skin gently. It doesn't lather up as much as other cleansers but I love that about it, it doesn't irritate or overly strip my sensitive skin.
